Server scenario: "Hello, my name is (insert name here) and I will be your waiter. Alright, hang on there, hungry customer, while I do this text."Staten Island Advance File Photo

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- We recently polled 32 Staten Islanders to ask what their pet peeves were when it came to restaurants and dining out in the borough. The majority of those who responded to our question “What are your pet peeves when eating out?” emphasized poor service as being the dealbreaker on acceptable dining experiences. Here is a summary of their responses.

1.Inattentive staff.

“There is nothing worse than seeing your server giggling with another staff member, or texting someone and not noticing (or caring) when you need something, or have a question,” says an East Shore resident in an email. Other regular restaurant patrons complain that a server not making eye contact is just plain rude and a sign of poor service.

2.Irritating questions.

Common annoyances include server queries such as, “Are you done?” and “Can I get you change?”

3.Loud and/or inappropriate music.

“There is nothing more annoying than club music with a driving beat at lunch,” says a diner from the North Shore. Other gripes: Live entertainment so loud that it interferes with dinner conversation.

4.Poor value.

Polled customers generally don’t mind paying for excellent food that’s nicely presented. But they don’t like to feel “ripped off” or that the meal, considering the quality of ingredients, is overpriced. “One of the main reasons I eat out infrequently is that I often feel that I could have done a better job myself at home,” sums up a New Brighton resident.

5.Uncomfortable arrangements.

Awkward chairs, small tables and seating that is too close to other patrons can be considered “tortuous” conditions under which to dine. Also, if the restaurant does not take reservations, there should be a “decent area for you to wait for a table.”

6.No buy backs.

After two drinks per person, two polled persons felt, it was common courtesy for the house to buy a round.

7.Cell phone usage.

This annoyance applies to servers as well as fellow patrons. One woman noted, “I find it ridiculous when another person is taking calls and chatting away in the restaurant, ignoring their guests. Can’t they take the call outside the restaurant? Do I have to hear their conversation?”

8.Odifereous people.

Too much perfume on a server is an unwelcome distraction from a dish, says one smell-sensitive customer. But these fragrant reminders extend also to other patrons showered in perfume as well. Perhaps the moral of the story is: Keep your scents to yourself.

9. No prices.

Patrons appreciate knowing what specials cost, preferably in writing.

10.Hazy reservation policies.

Guests opined they did not like being told to wait when empty tables are visible. One restaurateur explained that this was necessary to manage other reservations, particularly on a busy/weekend night and/or when large groups were anticipated. “It’s the way we have to juggle the dining room,” he said.

Tune in next week to Food for “10 Pet Peeves of Proprietors” This will be featured in the June 27 AWE section.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.